Reachability determination in wavelength division multiplexing network based upon fiber loss measurements

ABSTRACT

Devices, computer-readable media and methods are disclosed for determining reachability for a wavelength connection in a telecommunication network. For example, a processor deployed in a telecommunication network may calculate a fiber loss on a link in the telecommunication network using optical power measurements and determine that a destination node of a wavelength connection is not reachable via a path that includes the link based upon the fiber loss of the link that is calculated. In one example, the determining is based upon a number of links in the path, an effective fiber loss for each link in the path, a penalty for nodes in the path, and an acceptable loss value. The processor may further perform a remedial action in response to determining that the destination node of the wavelength connection is not reachable via the path.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/267,229, filed Feb. 4, 2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,554,301, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/623,240, filed Jun.14, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,200,121, all of which are hereinincorporated by reference in their entirety.

The present disclosure relates generally to telecommunication networkoperations, e.g., in a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) network,and more particularly to devices, computer-readable media, and methodsfor determining reachability for a wavelength connection in atelecommunication network.

BACKGROUND

Path computation entities (PCE's) are widely used indense-wavelength-division-multiplexed (DWDM) networks to determine howto route wavelength connections between node pairs. To compute the path,the PCE needs to know if two nodes are “reachable”—whether the DWDMnetwork can support a connection between them with sufficientoptical-signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) to maintain good performance overthe lifetime of the system. If the path is not “reachable” thenadditional resources may be utilized to reliably carry data between thetwo nodes.

SUMMARY

In one example, the present disclosure discloses a device,computer-readable medium, and method for determining reachability for awavelength connection in a telecommunication network. For example, aprocessor deployed in a telecommunication network may use optical powermeasurements to calculate a fiber loss on a link in thetelecommunication network and determine that a destination node of awavelength connection is not reachable via a path that includes the linkbased upon the fiber loss of the link that is calculated. In oneexample, the determining is based upon a number of links in the path, aneffective fiber loss for each link in the path, a penalty for nodes inthe path, and an acceptable loss value. The processor may furtherperform a remedial action in response to determining that thedestination node of the wavelength connection is not reachable via thepath.

In another example, the present disclosure discloses a device,computer-readable medium, and method for determining reachability for awavelength connection in a telecommunication network. For example, aprocessor deployed in a telecommunication network may receive a requestto establish a wavelength connection between a first node and a secondnode in the telecommunication network. In one example, the requestincludes information on an expected duration of the wavelengthconnection. The processor may further determine whether the second nodeis reachable from the first node using an acceptable loss value, wherethe acceptable loss value is based upon the expected duration of thewavelength connection. The processor may then configure thetelecommunication network based upon whether the second node isdetermined to be reachable from the first node.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The teaching of the present disclosure can be readily understood byconsidering the following detailed description in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system related to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of a first example method for determiningreachability for a wavelength connection in a telecommunication network;

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a second example method fordetermining reachability for a wavelength connection in atelecommunication network; and

FIG. 4 illustrates an example high-level block diagram of a computerspecifically programmed to perform the steps, functions, blocks, and/oroperations described herein.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have beenused, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common tothe figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure broadly discloses devices, computer-readablemedia and methods for determining reachability for a wavelengthconnection in a telecommunication network. For instance, pathcomputation entities (PCEs) are widely used in wavelength divisionmultiplexing (WDM) networks to determine how to route wavelengthconnections between node pairs. At the optical layer, the PCE needs toknow if two nodes are “reachable”—whether the WDM network can support awavelength connection between them with sufficient opticalsignal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) to maintain acceptable performance over thelifetime of the system without optical-electronic-optical (OEO)regeneration. The PCE may also utilize a fixed margin to ensure that asthe system ages, acceptable operation will continue.

Examples of the present disclosure support a mixture of persistentconnections (meant to perform reliably over the network's lifetime) andephemeral connections, e.g., those that will remain up and running forthe duration of a maintenance or other disruptive event (e.g., a surgein traffic, or to provide restoration in the event of a networkfailure). In accordance with the present disclosure, differentmethods/calculations are used to decide the reach of a persistentconnection and that of an ephemeral, or non-persistent connection. Sincethe latter is not intended to operate for the lifetime of the equipment,in one example a reach determination is performed with currentwavelength distribution (rather than assuming all wavelengths will be inuse) and little or no margin. In another example, the reach for anon-persistent connection is determined by establishing a wavelengthconnection, and discovering whether or not the pre-forward error correct(FEC) BER is acceptable. For instance, optical transponders at nodes inthe network have built-in capability to measure the (pre-FEC) BER.

In one example, a candidate path of the wavelength connection may bedetermined using a Dijkstra algorithm, such as a shortest path first(SPF) algorithm, or a similar initial candidate path selectionalgorithm, such as least cost routing (LCR) (e.g., where measured fiberloss and/or reachability are not cost factors). Test data may be sentover the candidate path and if the pre-FEC BER is acceptable, thewavelength connection may be made active. Otherwise, a second candidatepath may be set up and similarly tested for pre-FEC BER. However, inanother example, if the pre-FEC BER is not acceptable on the initialcandidate path, the optical transceivers may be adjusted to reduce thetransmission bitrate, a regenerator may be added to the path, or both.

For persistent connections, rather than calculating the opticalsignal-to-noise ratio (OSNR), a formula can be used for determiningreachability that is based upon: loss measurements made over time onfibers/links along a path, loss penalties for traversing nodes in thepath (e.g., ROADMs and/or optical amplifiers), and an acceptable lossvalue (e.g., a maximum single-span loss), which may include a margin.For example, one or more candidate paths for the persistent wavelengthconnection may be determined using Least Cost Routing (LCR) using anynumber of “cost” factors other than reachability, such as availablewavelengths, a number of links in the path, link lengths, the regionstraversed by links of the path, a monetary cost factor based upon thelinks and/or node equipment that would be utilized by the path, currentloads of links and/or nodes in the path, current wavelength occupanciesof the links in the path (e.g., a density of a number of wavelengths inuse and/or a percentage or number of unassigned wavelengths available),and so forth. A candidate path may then be considered for a reachabilitydetermination.

As an alternative, the reachability determination may be used as one ofseveral cost factors in path selection, e.g., using LCR or the like. Forinstance, if an intended destination node of a path is determined to notbe reachable via the reachability determination, the cost factor may beweighted so highly that the candidate path is discarded as a possibilityby the PCE, regardless of any other factors. Alternatively, or inaddition, the reachability determination may comprise a cost factorwhere the difference between the calculation for the path and theacceptable loss value is weighted. In other words, paths for which thecalculation is within an acceptable range, but closer to the acceptableloss value may have a factor weighted such that the path is a lesshighly ranked by the PCE as compared to a path for which the calculationindicates that the path will comply with the acceptable loss value by awider range.

In one example, the reachability for a (proposed) persistent wavelengthconnection may be determined with the following calculation:

$\begin{matrix}{{{{10 \times \left\lbrack {\log_{10}\left\{ {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{n}\left( {1/l_{i}} \right)} \right\}} \right\rbrack}} + {\left( {n - 1} \right)h}} \leq {R}} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 1}\end{matrix}$

where n is the number of links in the path, l_(i) is the fiber loss foreach link i, h is the loss (or “loss penalty”) for nodes in the path,and R is the acceptable loss value (e.g., the acceptable loss value fora single link path). In one example, each node in the path comprises areconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer (ROADM) and/or an opticalamplifier.

In another example, the determining that the destination node of awavelength connection is not reachable is based upon:

$\begin{matrix}{{{{10 \times \left\lbrack {\log_{10}\left\{ {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{n}\left( {1/l_{i}} \right)} \right\}} \right\rbrack}} + {mh}_{AMP} + {\left( {n - 1} \right)h_{ROADM}}} \leq {R}} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 2}\end{matrix}$

where n is the number of links in the path, m is the number ofamplifiers in the path, l_(i) is the fiber loss for each link i, h_(AMP)is the loss (or “loss penalty”) for optical amplifiers in the path,h_(ROADM) is the loss (or “loss penalty”) for ROADMs in the path, and Ris the acceptable loss value.

Thus, Equation 1 or Equation 2 can be used to calculate whether a pathcan support a wavelength connection without regeneration. This can bedone before the network is built using conservative estimates for theparameters R, h, h_(ROADM), h_(AMP), and estimates of the loss of eachspan, l_(i). For instance, the loss on each span may be estimated basedon a length of the span and an assumed loss per distance (e.g., indecibels per kilometer). The loss penalties for node equipment, h,h_(ROADM), h_(AMP), may be estimated based upon operations of similarsystems, a different portion of the network or system, frommanufacturers' stated parameters, and so on. Furthermore, apre-deployment analysis can be used to determine whether or notamplifiers should be installed at sites between ROADM nodes.

In one example, the following initial transmission system parameters areassumed: initial maximum end of life (EoL) single-span loss (30 dB),initial margin (3 dB), amplifier minimum gain (11 dB) (in one example,loss between amplifiers is increased to this value using a variableoptical attenuator if the fiber loss is below this value), ROADM losspenalty h_(ROADM), (1 dB), amplifier loss penalty h_(AMP) (0.5 dB)required “reachability” ∥R∥ (27 dB, e.g., 30 dB EoL single-span lossminus 3 dB margin). Before fiber loss calculations for a link areavailable, the following fiber plant parameters may be used to estimatethe fiber loss l_(i) for each link: distance-based fiber loss (0.3dB/km), connector loss (0.5 dB).

However, once the network is in operation, fiber loss of each link,l_(i) can be calculated from optical power measurements and these valuesof l_(i) may then be used for reach determinations for persistentconnections, e.g., using Equation 1 or Equation 2. For instance, l_(i)for a link may be the average of fiber loss over a number of samplemeasurements. In one example, the average may be based upon recentmeasurements, e.g., fiber loss measurements on the link from the lastweek, last day, last hour, etc. Alternatively, or in addition, aweighted average of the fiber loss measurements may be utilized, wheremore recent measurements are weighted more heavily, and oldermeasurements are given decreasing weights.

Similarly, in one example, the loss calculations from optical powermeasurements may be replaced with an “effective loss,” which may bebased on statistics and trends seen in the fiber loss data overlong-term measurements. For instance, the margin may be adjusted independence on fiber loss measurements over the previous year. In oneexample, fiber loss measurements may be weighted on a time-dependentloss curve. In one example, a conservative margin is used by consideringthe worst loss data over the previous year (or other time periods, suchas three months, six months, etc.), and the associated loss differencebetween the current loss and the worst loss data. In another example, anaverage margin is used by considering the average loss data over theprevious year or other time periods, and the associated loss differencebetween the current loss and the average loss data. If the historicalloss data is not available, the effective loss may be calculated usingloss data on fibers from the same cable, loss data on other fibers usedby the system, loss estimates based on known properties of the fiber,and loss data from other systems with the same or similar equipment. Inaddition, in one example, the present disclosure uses fiber lossmeasurements taken over time to forecast how much the loss is expectedto increase over time, and to use this information to set or adjust theeffective loss based on a projected EoL fiber loss.

Similarly, the margin and/or R may be modified based on either losscalculations, PMD measurements, or on other measurements such as pre-FECmeasurements made on a wavelength channel. These modifications may bebased on measurements made on a particular network (or fraction of anetwork) or similar measurements made on similar networks. The value maytake into account the wavelength on which the pre-FEC BER was measuredand how many wavelengths were present at the of the measurement. In oneexample, the margin may also depend on the number of wavelengths alreadyused in the system.

The following may underlie the basis of Equations 1 and 2 above. Thedominant noise impairment on a link may comprise amplified spontaneousemission (ASE). However, traversing a ROADM or an optical amplifier mayintroduce an additional impairment h_(ROADM), h_(AMP), respectively. Apath is deemed acceptable (i.e., the destination node is reachable) ifthe impairments are constrained to an acceptable limit. For a singlespan, if the total loss is less than R, the OSNR is within acceptablerange, where R is an EoL single-span loss minus a margin. For an n-hoppath, the following may apply:

$\begin{matrix}{{{Signal} \cong {\prod\limits_{i = 1}^{n}{\left( {l_{i} \times G_{i}} \right)S_{o}}}} = S_{o}} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 3}\end{matrix}$where G_(i) is the amplifier gain of an optical amplifier, which may bestandalone or integrated within a ROADM, and S₀ is the signaltransmitted via the path. The center term is equal to the term on theright since the amplifier gain in each link is tuned to offset the fiberloss in the link, and:

$\begin{matrix}{{{Noise} \cong {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{n}\left( {ASE}_{i} \right)} \propto {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{n}\left( {G_{i} - 1} \right)} \cong {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{n}\left( G_{i} \right)}} = {\sum\limits_{i = 1}^{n}\left( {1/l_{i}} \right)}} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 4}\end{matrix}$

where ASE_(i) is the amplified spontaneous emission for a link, i.

For a 1-hop path, the destination is reachable if the effective singlespan loss satisfies the following:

$\begin{matrix}{{{10 \times \left\lbrack {\log_{10}\left( l_{i} \right)} \right\rbrack}} \leq {R}} & {{Equation}\mspace{14mu} 5}\end{matrix}$

Given Equation 5, it follows that an n-hop path is “reachable” whenEquation 1 or Equation 2 above is satisfied. It should also be notedthat the foregoing is provided by way of example only. In other words,in other, further, and different examples, variations of these equationsand parameters may be utilized in accordance with the presentdisclosure. As just one example, Equation 2 may be modified to accountfor different loss penalties for different types of amplifiers and/orROADMs (e.g., different vendors' equipment) along the path. Forinstance, h, h_(ROADM), h_(AMP) may be different for each fiber/link i,and for each different type of equipment. Thus, these and othermodifications are all contemplated within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

In one example, a fiber loss may be measured using an optical timedomain reflectometer (OTDR) and/or fiber loss test set (FLTS). Forinstance, these measurement components may be integrated within nodes(e.g., ROADM nodes) in the network and may be used to measure fiber losson various fibers/links in the network. In one example, fiber loss maybe calculated from optical power measurements performed on thewavelength used to carry the optical supervisory channel (OSC) whichcarries network maintenance information. In another example, fiber lossmay be calculated from optical power measurements performed onwavelengths that are not in use/not assigned for traffic. In oneexample, the fiber loss for each link l_(i) may be based uponmeasurements over a variety of wavelengths on a link. However, asdiscussed further below, in one example, after fiber loss measurementshave been accumulated, different values for l_(i) for the same link maybe used with respect to different wavelengths.

In one example, pre-FEC BER may also be monitored for links in thenetwork, and for different wavelengths on the same link. For instance,as mentioned above, optical transponders at nodes in the network havebuilt-in capability to measure the (pre-FEC) BER. In addition, there areoften spare transponders in the network which are either not in use foran active wavelength connection, or are in place for rapid failurerecovery (e.g., for transponder failure, other equipment failures, orcable cuts). Similarly, links and paths in the network may be monitoredfor polarization mode dispersion (PMD), e.g., using one or more PMDprobes or analyzers using techniques such as wavelength scanning,interferometry, Stokes parameter evaluation, etc., which may also beintegrated at one or more nodes in the network. In one example, PMD isassessed using ephemeral connections or using unassigned wavelengthsthat are not in active use. For example, PMD varies over wavelength andtime, and the time variation can be quite slow. In addition, persistentwavelength connections are always at the same wavelength. Therefore, itmay be difficult to use PMD readings for persistent connections toassess fiber quality.

The measured and/or calculated values for fiber loss, BER, and/or PMDcan be used individually or collectively to improve the assumptions usedfor R, h, h_(ROADM), h_(AMP). For example, even in the absence oftransmission impairments, the pre-FEC BER may include low-level errors(i.e., such errors may be present even when two transponders are placedback-to-back, the noise may be due to imperfect filtering, laser phasenoise, electronic noise, etc.). However, if the working wavelengthconnections all have pre-FEC BER that is far lower than required, thenthe values used for R, h, h_(ROADM), h_(AMP) might be too conservative.For instance, the system may test different values for R (and/or themargin or single link path acceptable loss) to determine how low R(and/or the margin or single link path acceptable loss) can be reducedbefore FEC is unable to correct all errors, or to determine how often,on average, FEC is unable to adequately correct all errors, usingprogressively lower values for R (and/or the margin or single link pathacceptable loss). It should be noted, however, that for adjusting R(and/or the margin, single link path acceptable loss, h, h_(ROADM),h_(AMP), and so forth), fiber loss measurements are better than usingmeasurements on the OSNR (or pre-FEC BER) to forecast the OSNR (orpre-FEC BER); since the OSNR will have a ceiling (and the pre-FEC BERwill have a floor) until values fall below that ceiling (or come abovethe floor) it is difficult to see when or if they are likely todeteriorate. Thus, the dynamic range of the reachability calculation forpersistent connections is improved by fitting the parameters to thefiber loss data and in some cases measured pre-FEC BER data and/or PMDdata that is available.

In one example, an application of regression analysis may also revealwavelength dependence, and how it varies in the presence of otherchannels. Thus, after the network has been deployed for operation, thereachability determination, e.g., per Equation 1 or Equation 2 may usedifferent values for R, h, h_(ROADM), h_(AMP) depending upon thewavelength of the intended path being analyzed. Similarly, some cablesexperience loss due to macro bends, frequent cable cuts, or othermechanisms, while on others the loss is very constant. Therefore, somepaths may call for the use of a larger margin when calculating the endof life acceptable loss, acceptable loss value, R, and/or more margin toensure long-term reliability than other paths. For instance, when aregression analysis determines a fiber type and/or an installation typedependence upon fiber loss, (and in some examples, differences inmeasured pre-FEC BERs), a different value for R may be used per Equation1 or Equation 2 above. For example, a higher margin may be used on apath where a fiber/link is buried in conduit than on a path with alldirect-buried cable installations. The latter is more likely to haveproblems with macro-bends, thereby increasing the loss which is revealedthrough the accumulated fiber loss measurements. In another example, themargin may be higher (and/or R may be lower) for paths traversing areasin a same climate zone as fibers for which greater fiber losses (and insome examples, greater pre-FEC BERs) have been measured (e.g., areassubject to freezing temperatures). In another example, regressionanalysis may be applied to loss data (and/or pre-FEC BER data) forfibers/links with ROADMs and/or amplifiers from different vendors toreveal performance differences among the different types of equipment.For instance, in one example, when sufficient data has been gathered, adifferent value for h_(ROADM) may be used for a first vendor's equipmentversus a second vendor's equipment.

In another example, variability in fiber loss measurements is used toadjust R and/or the margin. For instance, an acceptable loss value(inclusive of margin) may be initially set based upon fiber lossmeasurements, BER measurements, PMD measurements, and/or other factors.In one example, the measurements may be taken from at least one of:other links in a same geographic area as one or more links of acandidate path, other links in a same temperature zone as the one ormore links of the path, or other links having a same deployment type asthe one or more links of the path, and so forth. However, the acceptableloss value may be reduced when variability on links of a candidate pathis higher (or increased when variability on the links has declined ascompared to less recent measurements on the links in the path). Thus,these and other aspects of the present disclosure are discussed ingreater detail below in connection with the examples of FIGS. 1-3.

To aid in understanding the present disclosure, FIG. 1 illustrates anexample system 100 comprising a plurality of different networks in whichexamples of the present disclosure for determining reachability for awavelength connection in a telecommunication network may operate. Theoverall communications system 100 may include any number ofinterconnected networks which may use the same or differentcommunication technologies. As illustrated in FIG. 1, system 100 mayinclude a network 105, e.g., a core telecommunication network. In oneexample, the network 105 may comprise a backbone network, or transportnetwork, such as an Internet Protocol (IP)/Multi-Protocol LabelSwitching (MPLS) network, where label switched paths (LSPs) can beassigned for routing Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)/IP packets,User Datagram Protocol (UDP)/IP packets, and other types of protocoldata units (PDUs) (broadly “traffic”). However, it will be appreciatedthat the present disclosure is equally applicable to other types of dataunits and network protocols. For instance, the network 105 may utilizeIP routing (e.g., without MPLS). Furthermore, network 105 may comprisemultiple networks utilizing different protocols, all utilizing a sharedunderlying WDM infrastructure (fibers, amplifiers, ROADMs, etc.). Inthis regard, it should be noted that as referred to herein, “traffic”may comprise all or a portion of a transmission, e.g., a sequence orflow, comprising one or more packets, segments, datagrams, frames,cells, PDUs, service data unit, bursts, and so forth. The particularterminology or types of data units involved may vary depending upon theunderlying network technology. Thus, the term “traffic” is intended torefer to any quantity of data to be sent from a source to a destinationthrough one or more networks. In addition, as used herein, the terms“configured” and “reconfigured” may refer to programming or loading acomputing device with computer-readable/computer-executableinstructions, code, and/or programs, e.g., in a memory, which whenexecuted by a processor of the computing device, may cause the computingdevice to perform various functions. With respect to ROADMs,“configured” and “reconfigured” may refer to instructions to adjust awavelength selective switch (WSS) to route different wavelengths todifferent fibers/links and/or to different add/drop ports, to adjust anoptical transceiver to send or receive at a particular bit/rate, and thelike.

In one example, the network 105 may be in communication with networks160 and networks 170. Networks 160 and 170 may comprise wirelessnetworks (e.g., an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers(IEEE) 802.11/Wi-Fi network and the like), a cellular access network(e.g., a Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) or anevolved UTRAN (eUTRAN), and the like), a circuit switched network (e.g.,a public switched telephone network (PSTN)), a cable network, a digitalsubscriber line (DSL) network, a metropolitan area network (MAN), anInternet service provider (ISP) network, a peer network, and the like.In one example, the networks 160 and 170 may include different types ofnetworks. In another example, the networks 160 and 170 may be the sametype of network. The networks 160 and 170 may be controlled or operatedby a same entity as that of network 105 or may be controlled or operatedby one or more different entities. In one example, the networks 160 and170 may comprise separate domains, e.g., separate routing domains ascompared to the network 105. In one example, networks 160 and/ornetworks 170 may represent the Internet in general.

In one example, network 105 may transport traffic to and from userdevices 141 and 142. For instance, the traffic may relate tocommunications such as voice telephone calls, video and othermultimedia, text messaging, email, and so forth between the user devices141 and 142, or between the user devices 141 and/or 142 and otherdevices that may be accessible via networks 160 and 170. User devices141 and 142 may comprise, for example, cellular telephones, personalcomputers, other wireless and wired computing devices, private branchexchanges, customer edge (CE) routers, media terminal adapters, cableboxes, home gateways and/or routers, and so forth.

As stated above, network 105 comprises a WDM network (e.g., a densewavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) network). Accordingly, in oneexample, the nodes 131-137 may include optical components, such asROADMs, and the links between nodes 131-137 may comprise fiber opticcables. For ease of illustration, a portion of the links is specificallylabeled as links 120-129. Inset 101 illustrates a portion of the network105 comprising nodes 136 and 137, and links 125-129. As shown in inset101, node 136 includes a ROADM 191 coupled to links 125, 126, and 128, aplurality of add/drop ports 194, and a router 193 coupled to the ROADM191 via one of the plurality of add/drop ports 194 and a transceiver192. Similarly, node 137 includes a ROADM 195 coupled to links 126, 127,and 129, a plurality of add/drop ports 198, and a router 197 coupled toROADM 195 via one of the plurality of add/drop ports 198 and atransceiver 196. ROADMs 191 and 195 may comprise colorless ROADMs,directionless ROADMs, colorless and directionless ROADMs (CD ROADMs), acontentionless ROADM, e.g., a colorless, directionless, andcontentionless (CDC) ROADM, and so forth.

It should be noted that in each of nodes 136 and 137, any number ofrouters, switches, application servers, and the like may be connected toone of the plurality of add/drop ports 194 or plurality of add/dropports 198, e.g., via additional transceivers. In addition, in otherexamples, additional components, such as additional ROADMs, may beconnected to one of the plurality of add/drop ports 194 or plurality ofadd/drop ports 198. For instance, in another example, node 137 mayinclude a number of ROADMs and other components that are interconnectedto provide a higher degree node. It should also be noted that nodes131-135 may have a same or similar setup as nodes 136 and 137. Inaddition, in one example, any one or more of components 181-184 may alsocomprise an optical node with a same or similar setup as nodes 136 and137.

As further illustrated in FIG. 1, network 105 includes a softwaredefined network (SDN) controller 155 and a path computation element(PCE) 150. In one example, the SDN controller 155 may comprise acomputing system or server, such as computing system 400 depicted inFIG. 4, and may be configured to provide one or more operations orfunctions in accordance with the present disclosure. For example, nodes131-137 and components 181-184 may be controlled and managed by SDNcontroller 155. For instance, in one example, SDN controller 155 isresponsible for such functions as provisioning and releasinginstantiations of VNFs to perform the functions of routers, switches,and other devices, provisioning routing tables and other operatingparameters for the VNFs, and so forth. Thus, various components ofnetwork 105 may comprise virtual network functions (VNFs) which mayphysically comprise hardware executingcomputer-readable/computer-executable instructions, code, and/orprograms to perform various functions. For example, the functions of SDNcontroller 155 may include the selection of network functionvirtualization infrastructure (NFVI) from among various NFVI availableat nodes 131-137 in network 105 to host various devices, such asrouters, gateways, switches, route reflectors, firewalls, media servers,and so forth. To illustrate, routers 193 and 197 may physically resideon host devices that may be configured to be a firewall, a media server,a router, and so forth.

In addition, SDN controller 155 may also manage the operations ofoptical components of the network 105. For instance, SDN controller 155may configure paths for wavelength connections via the network 105 byconfiguring and reconfiguring ROADMs at nodes 131-137 and components181-184. For example, SDN controller 155 may provide instructions tocontrol wavelength selective switches (WSSs) and transceivers within theROADMs. In one example, SDN controller 155 may maintain communicationswith nodes 131-137 and components 181-184 via a number of control links151 which may comprise secure tunnels for signaling communications overan underling IP infrastructure of network 105, e.g., includingfibers/links 120-129, etc. In other words, the control links 151 maycomprise virtual links multiplexed with transmission traffic and otherdata traversing network 105 and carried over a shared set of physicallinks. In one example, SDN controller 155 may be in communication withnode controllers at each node 131-137 (and in one example at components181-184). For example, node controllers 198 and 199 may be responsiblefor instantiating and releasing instances of virtual machines at nodes136 and 137 respectively, and for configuring and reconfiguringoperations of associated ROADMs, such as ROADMs 191 and 195. Thus, inone example, node controllers 198 and 199 may receive instructions forconfiguring and reconfiguring ROADMs 191 and 195 from SDN controller155. In one example, the SDN controller 155 may also comprise a virtualmachine operating on NFVI/host device(s), or may comprise a dedicateddevice. For instance, SDN controller 155 may be collocated with one ormore VNFs, or may be deployed in a different host device or at adifferent physical location.

As further illustrated in FIG. 1, the network 105 also includes a pathcomputation element (PCE) 150. In one example, PCE 150 may comprise acomputing system or server, such as computing system 400 depicted inFIG. 4, and may be configured to provide one or more functions fordetermining reachability for a wavelength connection in atelecommunication network, as described herein. PCE 150 may becollocated with one or more of nodes 131-137, components 181-184, or SDNcontroller 155, or may be deployed at a different physical location. Inone example, network 105 may comprise a distributed PCE environment withmultiple PCEs responsible for different zones, e.g., segregated bygeographic area, by functionality type, etc. Thus, for example, PCE 150may be selected to manage path utilizations in the portion of network105 relating to components 181-184 and nodes 131-137. For instance, thePCE 150 may be selected by the SDN controller 155.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, PCE 150 may be in communication with SDNcontroller 155 and may provide path compute decisions, such asreachability determinations, to the SDN controller 155. In turn, SDNcontroller 155 may provision wavelength connections via paths identifiedby PCE 150. For instance, SDN controller 155 may receive a request toestablish a wavelength connection from component 181 to component 184,e.g., to carry traffic between user devices 141 and 142. SDN controller155 may then forward the request to PCE 150 to calculate a path. Inaccordance with the present disclosure, PCE 150 may perform one or moreoperations of the example method 200 of FIG. 2, described in greaterdetail below. For illustrative purposes, PCE 150 may consider acandidate path comprising links 120, 121, 122, 123, and 124, and maymake a reachability determination as part of a path computation process.If the path comprising links 120, 121, 122, 123, and 124 is determinedto be “reachable” and if the path satisfies other criteria, such asbeing a least cost path, or a path that supports a least cost route ascomputed at a higher layer (e.g., for IP or IP/MPLS routing), the PCE150 may return the path to SDN controller 155 for deployment. SDNcontroller 155 may then communicate with the nodes 131, 132, 133, and135, and components 181 and 184 to configure ROADMs to maintain awavelength connection over the path. It should be noted that althoughnodes 131, 132, 133, and 135 may include routers operating in thenon-optical domain, a wavelength connection via the path comprisinglinks 120, 121, 122, 123, and 124 may be optically switched throughROADMs at nodes 131, 132, 133, and 135 (and bypassing any routers (e.g.,Layer 3 routers) or non-optical switches) that may be present at therespective nodes. In one example, components 181 and 184 may beconfigured to add and drop the wavelength of the wavelength connectionand to perform optical-electrical conversion and vice versa, e.g., via atransceiver coupled to an add/drop port of a ROADM therein.

In this regard, PCE 150 may store various data in connection withmanaging path utilizations for telecommunication network tunnels. Forinstance, PCE 150 may maintain a topology information block (TIB) thatincludes records for various links/fibers between the nodes 131-137 andcomponents 181-184 in network 105, such as the wavelengths available,the wavelengths assigned/in-use and/or the available/free wavelengths,the paths assigned to respective wavelengths, the fiber lengths,capacities, and ages, the transceiver performance capabilities of thevarious nodes, information regarding any protection scheme involving afiber, and or any particular wavelengths that may be utilized over thefiber, and so forth.

It should be noted that the system 100 has been simplified. In otherwords, the system 100 may be implemented in a different form than thatillustrated in FIG. 1. For example, the system 100 may be expanded toinclude additional networks, such as NOC networks, and additionalnetwork elements (not shown) such as border elements, routers, switches,policy servers, security devices, gateways, a content distributionnetwork (CDN) and the like, without altering the scope of the presentdisclosure. In addition, system 100 may be altered to omit variouselements, substitute elements for devices that perform the same orsimilar functions and/or combine elements that are illustrated asseparate devices. For example, SDN controller 155, PCE 150, and/or othernetwork elements may comprise functions that are spread across severaldevices that operate collectively as a SDN controller, a PCE, etc. Inanother example, PCE 150 and SDN controller 155 may be integrated into asingle device. In another example, PCE 150 may maintain its ownconnections to nodes 131-137 and components 181-184 and may sendinstructions to various devices to configure paths for wavelengthconnections in accordance with the present disclosure. In anotherexample, nodes 131-137 and/or components 181-184 may include fiber losstest sets (FLTSs), optical time domain reflectometer (OTDRs), PMDmeasurement devices, and the like which may be used to measure fiberloss and PMD over various links. In addition, it should be noted thattransceivers within each of the nodes 131-137 and/or components 181-184may measure pre-forward error correction (pre-FEC) bit error rates(BERs) over the various links/fibers, such as links 120-129. Thus, theseand other modifications of the system 100 are all contemplated withinthe scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of an example method 200 for determiningreachability for a wavelength connection in a telecommunication network,in accordance with the present disclosure. In one example, steps,functions and/or operations of the method 200 may be performed by anetwork-based device, such as PCE 150 in FIG. 1, or PCE 150 inconjunction with other components of the system 100. In one example, thesteps, functions, or operations of method 200 may be performed by acomputing device or system 400, and/or processor 402 as described inconnection with FIG. 4 below. For example, computing device or system400 may represent a PCE, a SDN controller, a PCE integrated with a SDNcontroller, and so forth in accordance with the present disclosure. Forillustrative purposes, the method 200 is described in greater detailbelow in connection with an example performed by a processor, such asprocessor 402. The method 200 begins in step 205 and proceeds tooptional step 210 or to step 230.

At optional step 210, the processor may receive a request to establish awavelength connection in the telecommunication network. In one example,the request to establish the wavelength connection comprises a requestfor a persistent connection, e.g., in contrast to a non-persistentconnection. In one example, a persistent connection may be intended toremain active over the course of several months, several years, or evenover decades, whereas a non-persistent connection may be temporary, suchas for network testing, as a backup during network repairs or upgrades,for offloading during certain events, such as weather-related outages inan area, or for large transient spikes in traffic in an area, such asduring mass sporting events, concerts, and the like. The request may bereceived from an operator terminal in a network operations center (NOC),e.g., from a terminal from network provisioning personnel, from acustomer device, and so forth.

At optional step 220, the processor may select the path through thetelecommunication network for the wavelength connection based upon a setof initial criteria (e.g., selecting the path as a candidate path). Inone example, the path is selected by applying the set of initialcriteria to a shortest path first algorithm. In one example, the set ofinitial criteria includes information for a topology of thetelecommunication network and available wavelength resources on links inthe telecommunication network. Other criteria may include: losses fornodes in the telecommunication network, available wavelength resourceson links in the telecommunication network, and optical signal to noiseratios bit error rate measurements for the links in thetelecommunication network (e.g., from times when the links were firstdeployed and before use for live traffic). Additional criteria mayinclude geographic or other constraints for certain customer traffic,monetary constraints, class of service, etc. In another example,criteria can come into play after the reach determination, or may beweighting factors, in addition to the reachability determination as aweighting factor, in deciding between one path versus other paths, e.g.,where the destination is reachable via the multiple paths.

At step 230, the processor calculates a fiber loss on a link in thetelecommunication network, e.g., using optical power measurements. Inone example, the link may comprise a link on the path that is selectedat optional step 220. In this regard, it should be noted that in oneexample, fiber loss calculations may be made for multiple links in thepath in connection with the method 200. In addition, fiber losscalculations may be made on a per-wavelength basis in each link. In oneexample, the fiber loss on the link is calculated from one or moreoptical power measurements on a wavelength that is not in use for usertraffic data or network management data via the link. It should be notedthat there may be multiple measurements on the same wavelength and ondifferent wavelengths that can be used to inform the reachabilitydetermination and to set the margin, the end of life (EoL) acceptableloss, and/or the acceptable loss value R). In one example, the fiberloss on the link is measured/calculated via an optical time domainreflectometer (OTDR). In another example, the fiber loss on the link ismeasured/calculated via a fiber loss test set (FLTS). In accordance withthe present disclosure, an OTDR or FLTS may be permanently attached tothe telecommunication network and is in communication with the processor(and/or the device, such as a PCE, in which the processor is deployed).In other words, in one example, an OTDR or FLTS for use in presentdisclosure is not a portable device carried by a network engineer.

At step 240, the processor determines, based upon the fiber loss of thelink that is calculated, that a destination node of a wavelengthconnection is not reachable via a path that includes the link. In oneexample, the determining is based upon a number of links in the path, aneffective fiber loss for each link in the path, a penalty (or “losspenalty”) for nodes in the path, and an acceptable loss value, e.g., asingle link acceptable loss value. For instance, the wavelengthconnection may be a persistent wavelength connection that has beenrequested to be established. In one example, the determining that thedestination node of a wavelength connection is not reachable is basedupon Equation 1 or Equation 2 above, or a variation thereof. In oneexample, nodes may also include additional components that are notdirectly implicated in reachability determinations, such asregenerators, IP/MPLS routers, and so forth. In one example, the fiberloss for each link is specific to a wavelength of the wavelengthconnection. For instance, as mentioned above, in one example step 230may include calculating a fiber loss for multiple links (i.e., fibers)in a path and on various wavelengths over each link.

In one example, the acceptable loss value is based on an end of life(EoL) acceptable loss for a single link and a margin. In one example,the EoL acceptable loss is determined based upon a trend of increasingfiber loss values from fiber loss calculations on at least one link inthe path, based upon BER measurements, based upon PMD measurements, etc.It should be noted that in one example, no distinction is made betweenEoL acceptable loss and margin. For example, an acceptable loss value(inclusive of margin) may be initially set based upon fiber losscalculations, BER measurements, PMD measurements, etc. for at least oneof: other links in a same geographic area as the link, other links in asame temperature or climate zone as the link, or other links having asame deployment type as the link. The deployment type may comprise, forexample: buried (with further distinctions based upon the type ofburial), or above ground. Alternatively, or in addition, initialestimates may be taken from measurements on other links comprising fiberhaving a same manufacturer, model, or production run as the fiber link.

It should be noted that in one example the reachability determination ofstep 240 may utilize “effective” fiber loss for each link in the path,e.g., fiber loss that is estimated based upon statistics and trends seenin the fiber loss data over long-term measurements and/or calculatedusing loss data on fibers from the same cable, loss data on other fibersused by the system, loss estimates based on known properties of thefiber, and loss data from other systems with the same or similarequipment.

At step 250, the processor performs a remedial action in response todetermining that the destination node of the wavelength connection isnot reachable via the path. In one example, the remedial actioncomprises reducing a bitrate for the wavelength connection as comparedto a requested bitrate contained in the request to establish thewavelength connection and establishing the wavelength connection via thepath. In another example, the remedial action comprises adding aregenerator to the path and establishing the wavelength connection viathe path. In one example, the regenerator may comprise anopto-electronic component of a node in the path. Thus, the establishmentof the wavelength connection via the path may include a dropping of thewavelength via a ROADM of the node and an adding of the wavelength backto the path after regeneration. In this regard, at step 250 theprocessor may further send an instruction to the node, the ROADM of thenode, and/or the regenerator of the node in order to include theregenerator in the path. In yet another example, the remedial actioncomprises both reducing a bitrate for the wavelength connection andadding a regenerator to the path, and then establishing the wavelengthconnection via the path. In still another example, the remedial actioncomprises selecting a different path for the wavelength connection. Inone example, the remedial action may further comprise establishing thewavelength connection via the different path.

Following step 250, the method 200 may proceed to optional step 255,optional step 260, or step 295.

At optional step 255, the processor may adjust the acceptable loss value(and/or the margin) for determining whether the destination node of thewavelength connection is reachable based upon a variability in aplurality of calculations of the fiber loss on the link. In one example,the variability may comprise a seasonal variability, e.g., differentcalculations or ranges of calculations of fiber loss at different timesof the year. For instance, as described above, an acceptable loss value(inclusive of margin) may be initially set based upon fiber losscalculations, BER measurements, PMD measurements, etc. for at least oneof: other links in a same geographic area as the link, other links in asame temperature zone as the link, or other links having a samedeployment type as the link. However, the acceptable loss value may bereduced when variability is higher.

At optional step 260, the processor may receive an additional request toestablish an additional wavelength connection in the telecommunicationnetwork comprising a non-persistent connection (e.g., in contrast to thewavelength connection discussed above, which may comprise a permanentwavelength connection). Following optional step 260, the method 200 mayproceed to optional step 270 or to optional step 280.

At optional step 270, the processor may select an additional paththrough the telecommunication network for the additional wavelengthconnection based upon a set of initial criteria. The set of initialcriteria may the same or similar to the set of initial criteria asdescribed above in connection with optional step 220.

Following optional step 270, the method 200 may proceed to optional step280 or to optional step 290.

At optional step 280, the processor may determine that a destinationnode of the additional wavelength connection is reachable via anadditional path that includes the link based upon the fiber loss of thelink that is measured. In one example, the determining that thedestination node of the additional wavelength connection is reachablevia the additional path that includes the link is based upon a reducedmargin and/or acceptable loss value as compared to the margin and/or theacceptable loss value that is used for the determining that thedestination node of the wavelength connection is not reachable via thepath that includes the link.

At optional step 290, the processor may establish the additionalwavelength connection via the additional path. In one example, theadditional wavelength connection is established via the additional pathwithout performing a reachability calculation for the additionalwavelength connection via the additional path (e.g., omitting optionalstep 280).

Following optional step 290 the method 200 may proceed to step 295. Atstep 295, the method 200 ends.

It should be noted that the method 200 may be expanded to includeadditional steps. For instance, in one example the processor may repeatone or more steps of the method 200 by receiving a further request for apersistent or a non-persistent wavelength connection. In anotherexample, the method 200 may include operations for performing a leastcost routing or other path compute task. In still another example, themethod 200 may include operations for collecting historical data forPMD, pre-FEC BER, and fiber loss from various network components. Thus,these and other modifications are all contemplated within the scope ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of an example method 300 for determiningreachability for a wavelength connection in a telecommunication network,in accordance with the present disclosure. In one example, steps,functions and/or operations of the method 300 may be performed by anetwork-based device, such as PCE 150 in FIG. 1, or PCE 150 inconjunction with other components of the system 100. In one example, thesteps, functions, or operations of method 300 may be performed by acomputing device or system 400, and/or processor 402 as described inconnection with FIG. 4 below. For illustrative purposes, the method 300is described in greater detail below in connection with an exampleperformed by a processor, such as processor 402. The method 300 beginsin step 305 and proceeds to step 310.

At step 310, the processor receives a request to establish a wavelengthconnection between a first node and a second node in a telecommunicationnetwork. In one example, the request to establish the wavelengthconnection comprises a request for a persistent connection or a requestfor a non-persistent connection. Accordingly, the request may includeinformation on an expected duration of the wavelength connection. Forinstance, the request may explicitly indicate whether the connection isa long-duration connection (broadly a “persistent” connection) or for ashort-duration connection (broadly a “non-persistent” connection). Inanother example, the request may indicate an expected duration, and theprocessor may apply a duration threshold to determine whether therequested wavelength connection is for a persistent wavelengthconnection or for a non-persistent wavelength connection. The requestmay be received from an operator terminal in a network operations center(NOC), e.g., from a terminal from network provisioning personnel, from acustomer device, and so forth.

At optional step 320, the processor may select the path through thetelecommunication network for the wavelength connection based upon a setof initial criteria (e.g., selecting the path as a candidate path). Inone example, optional step 320 may comprise the same or similaroperations as optional step 220 of the example method 200 discussedabove.

At optional step 330, the processor may calculate a fiber loss on a linkin the telecommunication network. In one example, the link may comprisea link on the path that is selected at optional step 320. In thisregard, it should be noted that in one example, fiber loss calculationsmay be made for multiple links in the path in connection with the method300. In one example, optional step 330 may comprise the same or similaroperations as optional step 230 of the example method 200 discussedabove.

At step 340, the processor determines whether the second node isreachable from the first node using an acceptable loss value that isbased upon the expected duration of the wavelength connection. Forinstance, the processor may use a reduced margin and/or acceptable lossvalue in connection with a request to establish a persistent wavelengthconnection as compared to the margin and/or the acceptable loss valuethe processor may use in connection with a request to establish anon-persistent wavelength connection. In one example, the determiningwhether the second node is reachable from the first node using theacceptable loss criteria is based upon Equation 1 or Equation 2 above,or a variation thereof. In one example, step 340 may comprise the sameor similar operations as step 240 of the example method 200 discussedabove.

In one example, at step 340 the processor may omit a reachabilitydetermination when the request is a request to establish anon-persistent wavelength connection. For instance, the processor maysimply attempt to establish the wavelength connection over a path thatmay be selected at optional step 320. In such an example, thedetermining whether the second node is reachable (wherein thereachability determination is based upon the expected duration of thewavelength connection) may comprise utilizing the wavelength connectionand determining whether the performance complies with a performancerequirement (e.g., an acceptable pre-FEC BER, an acceptable BERpost-FEC, and so forth).

At step 350, the processor configures the telecommunication networkbased upon whether the second node is determined to be reachable fromthe first node. For instance, when it is determined that the second nodeis reachable from the first node, the wavelength connection may bedeployed over the path. In this regard, at step 350 the processor mayfurther send an instruction to the first node, the second node, and/orone or more additional nodes in the path to route the wavelengthconnection via the path. On the other hand, when it is determined thatthe second not is not reachable from the first node via the path, step350 may comprise reducing a bitrate for the wavelength connection overthe path, adding a regenerator to the path, or both reducing an bitrateand adding a regenerator to the path. In still another example, step 350may comprises selecting a different path for the wavelength connection,determining whether the second node is reachable from the first node viathe different path, establishing the wavelength connection via thedifferent path, and so on.

Following step 350 the method 300 may proceed to step 395. At step 395,the method 300 ends.

It should be noted that the method 300 may be expanded to includeadditional steps. For instance, in one example the processor may repeatone or more steps of the method 300 by receiving a further request for apersistent or a non-persistent wavelength connection. In anotherexample, the method 300 may include operations for performing a leastcost routing or other path compute task. In still another example, themethod 300 may include operations for collecting historical data forPMD, pre-FEC BER, and fiber loss from various network components. Thus,these and other modifications are all contemplated within the scope ofthe present disclosure.

In addition, although not specifically specified, one or more steps,functions or operations of the method 200 or the method 300 may includea storing, displaying and/or outputting step as required for aparticular application. In other words, any data, records, fields,and/or intermediate results discussed in the example method 200 ormethod 300 can be stored, displayed and/or outputted to another deviceas required for a particular application. Furthermore, steps or blocksin FIG. 2 or 3 that recite a determining operation or involve a decisiondo not necessarily require that both branches of the determiningoperation be practiced. In other words, one of the branches of thedetermining operation can be deemed as an optional step. In addition,one or more steps, blocks, functions, or operations of the abovedescribed method 200 or method 300 may comprise optional steps, or canbe combined, separated, and/or performed in a different order from thatdescribed above, without departing from the example embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 4 depicts a high-level block diagram of a computing devicespecifically programmed to perform the functions described herein. Asdepicted in FIG. 4, the system 400 comprises one or more hardwareprocessor elements 402 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), amicroprocessor, or a multi-core processor), a memory 404 (e.g., randomaccess memory (RAM) and/or read only memory (ROM)), a module 405 fordetermining reachability for a wavelength connection in atelecommunication network, and various input/output devices 306 (e.g.,storage devices, including but not limited to, a tape drive, a floppydrive, a hard disk drive or a compact disk drive, a receiver, atransmitter, a speaker, a display, a speech synthesizer, an output port,an input port and a user input device (such as a keyboard, a keypad, amouse, a microphone and the like)). Although only one processor elementis shown, it should be noted that the computing device may employ aplurality of processor elements. Furthermore, although only onecomputing device is shown in the figure, if the method 200 or the method300 as discussed above is implemented in a distributed or parallelmanner for a particular illustrative example, i.e., the steps of theabove method 200 or method 300, or the entire method 200 or method 300is implemented across multiple or parallel computing device, then thecomputing device of this figure is intended to represent each of thosemultiple computing devices.

Furthermore, one or more hardware processors can be utilized insupporting a virtualized or shared computing environment. Thevirtualized computing environment may support one or more virtualmachines representing computers, servers, or other computing devices. Insuch virtualized virtual machines, hardware components such as hardwareprocessors and computer-readable storage devices may be virtualized orlogically represented. The hardware processor 402 can also be configuredor programmed to cause other devices to perform one or more operationsas discussed above. In other words, the hardware processor 402 may servethe function of a central controller directing other devices to performthe one or more operations as discussed above.

It should be noted that the present disclosure can be implemented insoftware and/or in a combination of software and hardware, e.g., usingapplication specific integrated circuits (ASIC), a programmable gatearray (PGA) including a Field PGA, or a state machine deployed on ahardware device, a computing device or any other hardware equivalents,e.g., computer readable instructions pertaining to the method discussedabove can be used to configure a hardware processor to perform thesteps, functions and/or operations of the above disclosed method 200 ormethod 300. In one example, instructions and data for the present moduleor process 405 for determining reachability for a wavelength connectionin a telecommunication network (e.g., a software program comprisingcomputer-executable instructions) can be loaded into memory 404 andexecuted by hardware processor element 402 to implement the steps,functions or operations as discussed above in connection with theillustrative method 200 and/or method 300. Furthermore, when a hardwareprocessor executes instructions to perform “operations,” this couldinclude the hardware processor performing the operations directly and/orfacilitating, directing, or cooperating with another hardware device orcomponent (e.g., a co-processor and the like) to perform the operations.

The processor executing the computer readable or software instructionsrelating to the above described method can be perceived as a programmedprocessor or a specialized processor. As such, the present module 405for determining reachability for a wavelength connection in atelecommunication network (including associated data structures) of thepresent disclosure can be stored on a tangible or physical (broadlynon-transitory) computer-readable storage device or medium, e.g.,volatile memory, non-volatile memory, ROM memory, RAM memory, magneticor optical drive, device or diskette and the like. Furthermore, a“tangible” computer-readable storage device or medium comprises aphysical device, a hardware device, or a device that is discernible bythe touch. More specifically, the computer-readable storage device maycomprise any physical devices that provide the ability to storeinformation such as data and/or instructions to be accessed by aprocessor or a computing device such as a computer or an applicationserver.

While various examples have been described above, it should beunderstood that they have been presented by way of illustration only,and not a limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of any aspect of thepresent disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-describedexamples, but should be defined only in accordance with the followingclaims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: calculating, by a processordeployed in a telecommunication network using at least one optical powermeasurement, a fiber loss on a link in the telecommunication network;determining, by the processor, that a destination node of a wavelengthconnection is not reachable via a path that includes the link based uponthe fiber loss of the link that is calculated, wherein the determiningis based upon: an effective fiber loss for each link in the path; apenalty for nodes in the path; and an acceptable loss value; andperforming, by the processor, a remedial action in response todetermining that the destination node of the wavelength connection isnot reachable via the path.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein theeffective fiber loss for each link is specific to a wavelength of thewavelength connection.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the acceptableloss value is based on an end of life acceptable loss for a single linkand a margin.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: adjustingthe acceptable loss value based upon a variability in a plurality ofcalculations of the fiber loss on the link.
 5. The method of claim 1,wherein the remedial action comprises: adding a regenerator to the path;and establishing the wavelength connection via the path.
 6. The methodof claim 1, wherein the remedial action comprises: reducing a bitratefor the wavelength connection as compared to a requested bitratecontained in a request to establish the wavelength connection; andestablishing the wavelength connection via the path.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the remedial action comprises: selecting a differentpath for the wavelength connection.
 8. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: receiving a request to establish the wavelength connectionin the telecommunication network; and selecting the path through thetelecommunication network for the wavelength connection based upon a setof initial criteria.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the path isselected by applying the set of initial criteria to a shortest pathfirst algorithm, wherein the set of initial criteria includesinformation for: a topology of the telecommunication network; andavailable wavelength resources on links in the telecommunicationnetwork.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the request to establish thewavelength connection comprises a request for a persistent connection.11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: receiving an additionalrequest to establish an additional wavelength connection in thetelecommunication network comprising a non-persistent connection;determining that a destination node of the additional wavelengthconnection is reachable via an additional path that includes the linkbased upon the fiber loss of the link that is calculated, wherein thedetermining that the destination node of the additional wavelengthconnection is reachable via the additional path that includes the linkis based upon a reduced acceptable loss value as compared to theacceptable loss value that is used for the determining that thedestination node of the wavelength connection is not reachable via thepath that includes the link; and establishing the additional wavelengthconnection via the additional path.
 12. The method of claim 10, furthercomprising: receiving an additional request to establish an additionalwavelength connection in the telecommunication network comprising anon-persistent connection; selecting an additional path through thetelecommunication network for the additional wavelength connection basedupon the set of initial criteria; and establishing the additionalwavelength connection via the additional path without performing areachability calculation for the additional wavelength connection viathe additional path.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the calculatingthe fiber loss on the link comprises an optical power measurement on awavelength that is not in use for user traffic data or networkmanagement data via the link.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein thefiber loss on the link is calculated via at least one of: an opticaltime domain reflectometer; or a fiber loss test set.
 15. Anon-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions which, whenexecuted by a processor deployed in a telecommunication network, causethe processor to perform operations, the operations comprising:calculating, using at least one optical power measurement, a fiber losson a link in the telecommunication network; determining that adestination node of a wavelength connection is not reachable via a paththat includes the link based upon the fiber loss of the link that iscalculated, wherein the determining is based upon: an effective fiberloss for each link in the path; a penalty for nodes in the path; and anacceptable loss value; and performing a remedial action in response todetermining that the destination node of the wavelength connection isnot reachable via the path.
 16. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium of claim 15, wherein the effective fiber loss for each link isspecific to a wavelength of the wavelength connection.
 17. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein theacceptable loss value is based on an end of life acceptable loss for asingle link and a margin.
 18. The non-transitory computer-readablemedium of claim 15, the operations further comprising: adjusting theacceptable loss value based upon a variability in a plurality ofcalculations of the fiber loss on the link.
 19. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the remedial actioncomprises: adding a regenerator to the path; and establishing thewavelength connection via the path.
 20. A device comprising: a processordeployed in a telecommunication network; and a computer-readable mediumstoring instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause theprocessor to perform operations, the operations comprising: calculating,using at least one optical power measurement, a fiber loss on a link inthe telecommunication network; determining that a destination node of awavelength connection is not reachable via a path that includes the linkbased upon the fiber loss of the link that is calculated, wherein thedetermining is based upon: an effective fiber loss for each link in thepath; a penalty for nodes in the path; and an acceptable loss value; andperforming a remedial action in response to determining that thedestination node of the wavelength connection is not reachable via thepath.